Hacking vWii HDD Format Question

[THA-REAPER]

Is it now possible to have a formatted vWii and a section for legit purchased Nintendo digital games on the same drive? I haven't really been paying attention as much as I used to around here. I've done 3 of my own, but I admit I am a little rusty with this. I'm trying to get a friends Wii U homebrufied.

Also what is the recommended format for Nintendont is it Fat32 split or NTFS? I know WBFS is the least because the PC can't read the contents of the file system only in WiiBackup Manager.

Im using a 3TB Buffalo drive from the list and using Windows so NTFS wouldn't be a issue. I plan on going to the mega thread while I'm working on it, but I want to save some time by getting things ready at home first.

 

[Deleted User]

Unfortunately, it is not currently possible to partition a Wii U formatted drive.
As far as I'm aware, the Wii U uses a specially encrypted partition table to handle the drive, which cannot be read by a PC (just re-formatted).

If you're just using it for Nintendon't, you may be able to get away with FAT32. FAT32 can only handle 4GB files, but since GameCube discs are only 1.5GB per layer, you should be able to get away with most games.

 

[CJB100]

Is it now possible to have a formatted vWii and a section for legit purchased Nintendo digital games on the same drive? I haven't really been paying attention as much as I used to around here. I've done 3 of my own, but I admit I am a little rusty with this. I'm trying to get a friends Wii U homebrufied.

Also what is the recommended format for Nintendont is it Fat32 split or NTFS? I know WBFS is the least because the PC can't read the contents of the file system only in WiiBackup Manager.

Im using a 3TB Buffalo drive from the list and using Windows so NTFS wouldn't be a issue. I plan on going to the mega thread while I'm working on it, but I want to save some time by getting things ready at home first.

If you have any questions regarding things other than what you are asking, I'd recommend my sticky at the top of the forum, "The Definitive vWii Hacking Guide." I only suggest because you said you are rusty. As far as the HDD, FAT32 MBR is by far the recommended format, but I know that MBR has issues with drives larger than 2TB, and I believe FAT32 does as well, so you may try NTFS and see how that goes for you.

 

[THA-REAPER]

CreeperMario
Thanks. I just had to ask since its been a while and so much changed within these few months. In general I was aware of the 4GB limit so I always made sure WiiBackup Manager was set to split anything that would surpass 4GB.


CJB100
Thanks as well. What I ended up doing was partitioning the drive up to 1.93TB FAT32. That's as far Easeus Partition Manager would let me. The rest of the unallocated space I formatted to NTFS. Still may make it FAT32 if I cant find a use for it being NTFS. So now I have drive letters X and Y. I tried Bootice with the same configuration mentioned in the definitive thread and it would make the drive not show in Windows Explorer. Im guessing it was hitting the limitation you guys mentioned. It showed the entire drive unallocated each time in disk management so I had to start over by reformatting it there. No problem since it was already an empty drive. I actually was referring to your thread when I said "mega thread" lol.

So far no problems with any of the loaders picking up the drive tested CFG, USBLoaderGx, WiiFlow, and Nintendont. Emulators and Loadiine should work fine. Much appreciation on The Definitive vWii Hacking Guide saves so much time bouncing around the web searching and forgetting stuff. Next time I'll be sure to stop in there if I have anymore questions.